January is National Puzzle Month

National Puzzle Month is celebrated every January as a way to recognize and promote the enjoyment of puzzles. January is a great time for jigsaw puzzles because the cold weather and long evenings make indoor activities especially appealing. After the busy holiday season, puzzles provide a relaxing, screen-free way to unwind, bond with family, and challenge your mind. They’re also perfect for starting the New Year with a fun, brain-boosting hobby!

Puzzle month highlights the mental benefits and entertainment value of puzzles, encouraging people of all ages to engage in puzzle-solving activities.

• Mental Benefits: Puzzles are great for improving cognitive skills, memory, problem-solving abilities, and focus. They can also help reduce stress and keep the brain active.
• Social Engagement: Solving puzzles can be a social activity, whether through group games, collaborative challenges, or community puzzle events. 
  Try a round puzzle that can be solved from all sides! 
• Diverse Appeal: From young children learning basic problem-solving to adults enjoying challenging brainteasers, puzzles have something for everyone.

Ways to Celebrate:

1. Do a Puzzle: Tackle a new jigsaw puzzle or try a crossword, Sudoku, or logic puzzle.
2. Host a Puzzle Night: Invite friends or family for a puzzle-solving session. Round Puzzles are excellent for groups as they can be worked on from any side. 
3. Challenge Yourself: Try a puzzle type you're unfamiliar with to broaden your skills. Have you ever seen an octagonal puzzle? 
4. Introduce Kids: Introduce puzzles to children to help them develop critical thinking skills. 20 Piece Puzzles are a great place to start when puzzling with kids.
5. Try Speed Puzzling: Time yourself doing a 100 or 500-piece puzzle and then keep trying to increase your speed. Find a local speed puzzling event through the USA Jigsaw Puzzle Association. Top speed puzzlers are ranked nationally and can even win cash prizes. 

National Puzzle Month is an excellent time to celebrate the joy of solving challenges while reaping the many benefits they provide.